The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy

The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy utilizes cultural programs and exhibitions to improve dialogue and facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the U.S. and countries around the globe. Meridian’s experts employ a unique approach to culture that fosters public-private partnerships with embassies, ministries of culture, museums, and corporations worldwide to develop multifaceted projects that emphasize socially relevant topics and important regions. MCCD programs transcend cultural divides and international borders by creating neutral environments where people can appreciate each other at all levels of society.

The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy (MCCD) is pleased to announce its artist selections for the upcoming Community Engagement through the Arts: Mural Arts Exchange with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Each participant will travel to one of four countries to carry out collaborative murals with local artists representing underserved populations. These shared murals will be designed during each 3.5-week exchange program and will depict social themes that are relevant to each country. Continue

Meridian’s Art for Cultural Diplomacy staff learned about a fascinating tradition between India and Pakistan when Dr. Curtis Sandberg, Senior Vice President for the Arts, traveled to New Delhi to sign a Memorandum of Intent with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. During his stay, he met with Times of India journalist, Indrani Bagchi, who brought up the significance of mango diplomacy – a soft power initiative that we wanted to share with our readers.
The people of India and Pakistan have existed under similar spheres of influence for millennia, including the Indus Valley Civilization and the Mughal Empire, and in subsequent centuries developed similarities in language, literature, art, architecture, and cuisine across a key international border. Today, while both countries often focus on issues that divide them, a popular, regional fruit is bringing the two nations together to try and ease tensions. Continue

Meridian International Center, founded in 1960, is a leading non-partisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening international understanding and global engagement... Read more...